On The Island

I organised a Red Hatter trip on the river Medway in Maidstone in The Kentish Lady. This was a coach trip and Fish and Chips included on the boat. The coach was delayed picking us up so the driver was trying to make time up. As soon as we arrived at the side of the river there was a mad dash to the boat, we were far more sedate! This meant as the seats were 6’s together , they had  all taken their seats so we couldn’t sit together! The next thing we had to laugh about there were no tables!! The fish and chips were handed out and we had to eat them on our laps!!! We were each given a voucher and we could go to the bar and get a tea, coffee or water, included! Well, it was a real balancing act especially when the boat started moving!

The MD of the company was on board and asked what group we were and so I explained and said I had a purple hat as opposed to a red one, as it was the month of my birthday. Later he came and gave me a token and said as it was my birthday I could have any drink I liked from the bar. That was very kind.

As we weren’t sitting together, we ended up outside on the boat, far better than inside as it was such nice weather!

The photo of us with the Skipper was taken because they asked permission to use it on their “socials”. After three hours on the boat we could buy a coupon for £1 and as we disembarked we could purchase a choc ice. Of course we all did and of course Penny decided she’d catch me eating mine!

Heading home we got stuck in all the Friday traffic. It took us 30 minutes to do about 100 yards! But it had been a lovely day.

A good Red Hatter Day. And while I was out, Mal had painted the conservatory walls!

 

We decided to go to Faversham , stopping on the way in Nonington to let Ellie have a wander around the park. This lovely house is right by the park.

Unfortunately Lou and Rhys were working so we had a wander around the town and then had some lunch at Cafe Guild. We sat outside with Ellie. Lovely staff there and good prices. I had a prawn baguette which was £5.95!! Their lattes were very good as well.

A drive to Minster. There are a lot of “free” foods growing around the fields there. Today we saw Salsify and Alexanders.

In the evening we went to see Hamza Yassin at the Marlowe Theatre. I have to say the evening was amazing. I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in the natural world and photography. He started off being very nervous to a packed theatre and said it was more stressful than doing Strictly! The whole evening was just so full of facts, beautiful pictures and stories of his journey. Amazing. This was a picture of him when he was in Antarctica in minus 43 degrees! The white marks on his cheeks were where he had touched his face and it froze!

He is totally dedicated and only spends 25 days a year at his home. It was all so interesting.

A walk over the fields. Ellie met plenty of dogs including the black lab who fell in love with her a long time ago! Also a new lady and her dog who live just along the road who we have never met before. She hasn’t been here long.

The rest of the day “Spring Cleaning”.

I am pleased we are not going to Madeira this year (a decision made because it is unfair to leave Ellie at her grand old age) because they are having nothing but rain. Today 9 flights were circling the island and they have now started diverting.  We were so lucky on our trips as this appears to be happening much more frequently.

A walk around the orchards, a little misty.

I heard from Sol and a total idiot (drunk) smashed into Milly’s car and drove straight off. How awful particularly as the two children were in the car. But with the help of various footage, he has been found. Poor Milly.

Our usual Sunday walk to Knees Wood and East Kent Railway. It is a charity and it is Ellie’s favourite place, we felt we ought to support them and so joined as members!

This is how Ellie is when we enter the wood, just sets off on her own and decides the route!

She does look round every now and again to make sure we are following. Lovely bluebells down by one of the trains. Then coffees at the Colonel’s Cafe.

Spurs in the afternoon, they played like a different team and won their game!

 

Over the fields with Ellie but it was very humid and so she plodded along, not very enthusiastic.

In the afternoon we had the procession in the town, celebrating 800 years of having mayors. We were the first town outside London to have a Mayor.

We really enjoyed the parade and it was such a lovely afternoon we went to the Red Cow for a drink in their garden where they had a DJ playing. It really was like summer!

Home to watch the Hammers game. Mal was not happy, they lost! Important games this end of the season.